Three Kansas State University graduate students in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) were awarded scholarships in the 13th annual MANKO Design Competition, sponsored by MANKO Window Systems, Inc. The event was held on December 6 at Regnier Hall.
Chris Heintz, a fourth-year architecture student from Homer Glen, Illinois, received the competition’s top honor and a $5,000 scholarship for his project, “Rocky Ford Event and Discovery Center,” developed in the Fall 2024 design studio led by Assistant Professor Brian Lee, who also served as the competition coordinator. Professor Lee commented, “Chris did an excellent job consistently and critically developing his work over the semester, leading to a very well-considered, highly detailed, cohesive project.”
Alex Cervantes-Garcia, a fourth-year architecture student from Olathe, received a $1,500 scholarship for his project, “Tranquil Gardens,” developed in Associate Professor Grant Alford’s Fall 2024 studio.
Jack Taliaferro, a fourth-year architecture student from O’Fallon, Missouri, earned a $1,000 scholarship for his project, “Connection with Sustainability,” created in Professor Michael McGlynn’s Fall 2024 studio.
The competition projects, developed in the fourth-year Architectural Design Studio 5, emphasize holistic building design—from sophisticated spatial planning to detailed architectural systems and materials. Faculty curated a diverse range of project briefs addressing various programs, sites, and scales.
“We had an exceptional set of final projects for the competition, showcasing the work of our fourth-year students,” Lee said. “The jury was outstanding and deeply engaged in the evaluation process, providing invaluable feedback for the award winners.”
The jury, composed of established practitioners and academics in the field of architecture, evaluated submissions from five studio sections and offered valuable feedback. This year’s jurors included:
- Brandon Hackett, Principal, KKT Architects, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Charles MacBride, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Operations; Associate Professor of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington
- Barbara Rystrom, Senior Project Manager, Associate, Perkins + Will, Dallas, Texas
In addition to the top award recipients, the following students were selected to participate in the MANKO Design Competition:
- Carter Grothusen — “Space Claiming,” Summer 2024, Professor Alford
- Sydney Tucker — “See Through Suburbia,” Summer 2024, Professor Alford
- Isaiah Houltberg — “Phoenix Arizona Suitcase House,” Summer 2024, Professor Tross
- Jacob White — “Unfolding a House,” Summer 2024, Professor Tross
- Caden Schaffer — “Geometric Living,” Fall 2024, Professor Alford
- Aidan Maxwell — “Situate Shape Perform,” Fall 2024, Professor McGlynn
- Krista Gerstner — “Rocky Ford Event Center,” Fall 2024, Professor Lee
